Blog

Jul

07

News and Improvements in Creo 4.0 – Part 2 of 2

This is part two of my review of Creo 4.0. I will now touch one of PTC´s focus areas, the development of Creo Parametric as a comprehensive tool for Model-Based Definition (MBD). This enable a drawingless product development process.

3D Drawings

Great improvements have been made in areas such as Datum Feature Symbol, that is, references to GD&T (GPS). Datum Target has now more opportunities and covers the entire standard. PTC has finally made improvements in GD&T that now has been modernized and completely follow the other tools in user interface and workflow. Clearly a shape-up compared to previous versions.

2D drawing with image.

2D Drawings

All the improvements in 3D drawings have also been added to 2D drawings. PTC is still focusing to give users the best in this area, although much of the industry is looking to move to 3D drawings. It's Datum Feature Symbol, Target Date, geometric tolerances and dimensions that have been improved. Above all geometric tolerances is now following the latest ISO standard and is easier to use. Other improvements is the ability to add pictures to a drawing, a functionality that that disappeared during a Windows upgrade, but is now back again.

News in Creo 4.0

Creo is a tool at the frontline of the technology, and that will give the users great opportunities to develop innovative products.

New functionality for GDT&T.

Creo GD&T Advisor Extension

A few years ago, a new Creo add-on was introduced, GD & T Advisor. This add-on from Sigmetrix was a great tool that helped the users to add GD&T to our designs and at the same time ensure that the tolerances follow ISO and ASME standards. PTC appreciated this extension so much that it is now integrated with Creo 4.0. This extension ensures that products have correct tolerances from the outset and continuously checks that the parts complies with the standard requirements. The result is improved product quality, fewer problems of interpretation, lower rework costs and shorter time to delivery.

Creo Render Studio

Creo Render Studio.

PTC has replaced the old rendering engine in Advanced Rendering Extension (ARX) with a new rendering engine from Keyshot. It allows real-time display of the designs in rendered mode where the graphics take into account lighting, HDRI environments and materials. This graphic is superior compared to the former ARX and provides user support to create perfect images for marketing materials or presentations. If the model changes, the renderings will directly and automatic update the renderings.

Creo Additive Manufacturing Extension (AMX)

A new extension in Creo 4.0 is AMX, which is a groundbreaking functionality to create shell models with built-in reinforcements. It is the ability to easily create a lattice model of a finished 3D model, thus saving material in a 3D printer. PTC has also taken this concept a step further and connected this with the functionality in Creo Simulate to easily analyze the structure as simplified beam elements. Combine this with the ability to dynamically optimize the density, creates a tool that will develop the details we never thought were possible before.

Conclusion

Additive Manufacturing with Creo 4.0.

We are used to that each versions of PTC's flagship Creo Parametric is the tool develope slowly, but the steps taken are powerful and provide value to users and makes it possible to design innovative products. In Creo 4.0, I can see that PTC has really invested in the development of new and enhanced functionality that will make users faster and more secure in their designs. We are looking forward to what is coming in future versions. If we just look what will come later on in Creo 4.0 we can see that, for example, Augmented Reality integration, combine physical and digital models, and Creo Parametric as a cloud solution, will be added in coming maintenance releases. I will get back to you with my comment on this, but I already know that Creo 4.0 will be known as the best version so far.

About Lars

Senior CAD Master with over 20 years of experiences in product development and with our CAD Solutions Creo (formely Pro/ENGINEER). If there is something in Creo Lars doesn´t knows about, it isn´t worth knowing.

You will meet Lars in our office in Gothenburg, at our customers or in our events.